United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Lovell hits back at ‘money grabbing’ accusation
GTMC Conference Special: Guild of Travel Management Companies chairman Richard Lovell has defended his members after they were dubbed money- grabbers by corporates.
He said most companies, particularly the financial directors, did not appreciate the value and savings made by a TMC.
Lovell’s comments followed a presentation at the GMTC conference where Oracle and PricewaterhouseCoopers said TMC’s are perceived as money-grabbers and have poorly trained staff.
“It should be said this is a perception, not a reality,” Lovell told Travelmole.
“On average TMC’s charge around 3-4% of a client’s travel spend but with the deals we have save them up to 25% during the year.
That’s good value but most do not realise the value we bring.
We need to make them aware of it.”
The problem stems from the shift from a commission-based income to one of charging service fees, something FDs have struggled with, said Lovell.
“It used to be a free service now they are having to pay.
We are providing a business service and we have to charge.
That’s not money grabbing, it’s business,” he said.
Lovell also threw back the same money-grabbing accusations at business consultants – such as PricewaterhouseCoopers.
“When you receive an invoice for a consultant you ask what am I paying for?” he said.
Lovell, Carlson Wagonlit chief operating officer EMEA, also refuted accusations of poor service, claiming corporates want to pay as little as possible yet still expect a faultless service.
He said corporates attempt to drive down prices but “start screaming” as soon as it goes wrong.
Report by Steve Jones
Ginny McGrath
Mark Jaronski of Explore Georgia on FIFA World Cup 2026
Connecting Small Businesses to Global Tourism Markets: Nate Huff of Tourism Exchange
North Carolina’s Resilience: Wit Tuttell on Recovery and Tourism
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
BA suspending all Heathrow to Abu Dhabi flights
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel
Foreign Office issues travel advisory for winter sun destinations